Chapter 17
“Yes, well…”
Thinking that way made things easier on the heart—what choice did she have? Her generous self had to understand. This was the kind of mercy only someone in possession of the “Light of the Abyss” could show.
Sparks seemed to fly between them as they stared at each other.
Though dissatisfaction was clear under Raphael’s mask, to onlookers who couldn’t see his face, it merely seemed like there was a strange tension between a man and a woman.
‘Is there something going on between them?’
As they say, life is a comedy from afar and a tragedy up close. Watching them from a distance, Damian felt an overwhelming air of romance pouring out of the scene.
‘It was strange when he showed up a few days ago, and now he says he’ll come again? And that he’ll come because Louisa wants him to?’
Hearing bits and pieces of their conversation, Damian’s eyes wavered, unable to make sense of it all.
He wanted to step in and ask what had happened between them. The atmosphere between the two had changed so drastically, it was unsettling.
Unlike Louisa, who dealt with Raphael calmly, it was now Raphael desperately clinging to her. Their roles had completely reversed.
‘Could it be…’
Just as he was quietly observing, trying not to break the moment, Damian’s eyes sparkled with glee. His sharp instincts told him exactly what was happening.
‘His Highness has finally fallen for Louisa’s charm…!’
He had no idea that Raphael was simply obsessing over his sister in a deeply one-sided way.
On the way back to the duke’s mansion, Louisa glanced uncomfortably at Damian, who was smiling to himself, proud for some reason.
She thought he would pester her with questions, but instead, he just grinned like a fool and let her go to her room without a fuss.
It was convenient, sure—but also a bit worrying. Was it really okay to leave him like that?
‘Well, I guess it’s better than dealing with him being annoying…’
Louisa soon shook off the unease. She didn’t let the artifact—the whole reason for the day’s events—leave her side even while bathing.
She meticulously drew the blackout curtains and lay in bed, never letting the artifact out of her hand, always watching her surroundings carefully.
“I really want to sleep. But I can’t, can I…”
Though her half-lidded eyes looked sleepy, her tone was deadly serious. She needed to bind the “Light of the Abyss” to herself before she saw Raphael tomorrow.
“If not for that promise, I wouldn’t even be rushing this. Ugh, what a pain.”
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Louisa held the artifact between her thumb and forefinger, raising it into the air and examining it as she turned it this way and that.
“The heroine held it up to the light and muttered something before rubbing the gem… What was that phrase again?”
The semi-transparent gemstone scattered the light faintly. As she stared at the softly reflecting glow, Louisa furrowed her brow and sat up abruptly.
“I guess I’ll have to try something.”
Since the light scattered more when near a flame, she approached the flickering candlelight in the darkened room.
As she got closer, the light pierced through the semi-transparent gem and spread like a prism in all directions.
It was a breathtaking sight, as if she were standing at the center of the universe. For a moment, it made her forget how tired she was.
“Wow…”
A soft gasp escaped her lips. Louisa stared blankly at the dreamlike display until she noticed a strange disturbance in the light and narrowed her eyes.
“What is that?”
The irregularly flickering lights began to coalesce into letters.
Afraid she might miss something by blinking, Louisa widened her eyes and carefully read the words as they formed.
“Ruth, Spes…?”
As soon as the words left her mouth—whoosh—a strong wind blew.
A brilliant light, bright enough to blind her, swirled like a vortex before it began to pour into the artifact.
Surrounded by multicolored light, Louisa finally shut her eyes tightly. The wind brushed her cheeks and the sound of it filled her ears, putting her nerves on edge.
She had no idea how much time had passed.
Eventually, she felt her hair, blown around by the wind of light, gently settle.
“…Is it over?”
Taking that as a sign, Louisa cautiously cracked one eye open—then looked down, startled by the strange sensation in her hand.
“…!”
Her violet eyes shimmered with astonishment.
The tiny gemstone, once no larger than a pea, was now embedded in a golden ring, sitting perfectly on the middle finger of her left hand.
“Holy crap. This is… wow…”
She was speechless. She’d only read about this in text, so she hadn’t fully understood how it would feel—but seeing it firsthand made it clear.
This really was a world where amazing powers were real.
Overwhelmed by the magical scene, Louisa let out a breath of awe, then slowly moved her right hand with great care.
From here, she knew exactly what to do.
Without hesitation, she placed her fingertips on the translucent gemstone and gently rubbed it.
The artifact resonated with her, as if it was awaiting a command.
Taking a deep breath, Louisa slowly opened her mouth.
“…It’s completely mine now.”
Her excited voice filled the room.
Raphael stared out the carriage window at the Blake estate and sighed.
‘I can’t believe I’m visiting this place again. Twice now, no less.’
Ever since the engagement day, he’d felt like he was constantly being dragged into Louisa’s pace.
It hadn’t been hard to recognize her at the auction last night.
Even with the mask on, her uniquely soft brown hair and violet eyes—so much like a violet—had been unmistakable.
‘At first, I thought she might’ve followed me, but it didn’t seem like that at all.’
He recognized her instantly, but Louisa, hooded and unaware, didn’t seem to recognize him. Maybe that’s why he spoke to her without thinking.
‘To think she came for the Light of the Abyss…’
It wasn’t just that they’d run into each other—she was after the very same artifact. He’d been suspicious at first, but only briefly.
After all, he hadn’t told anyone what he intended to buy. How could she have known?
Still, the fact that it contained ancient inscriptions made him wary of handing it over so easily.
He couldn’t help but picture her covered in blood not long ago. What if she got hurt again?
At the fleeting thought, Raphael’s long lashes trembled slightly. His usually serene blue eyes rippled like a disturbed lake, then quickly hardened again.
‘Obviously, it’s not because I care about her. Just worried for those around her—nothing more.’
Though no one was there to hear, he urgently corrected his own thoughts.
‘What if someone gets hurt? That would be irresponsible.’
A faint wrinkle appeared between his brows.
He had no intention of breaking his promise. He simply wanted to examine the artifact for a few days to ensure it was safe—but instead, she’d turned that into a condition for him to visit her.
‘This is bad. I should be keeping my distance, but now I’m seeing her even more. The Emperor’s going to love this if he hears about it.’
The image of the smug emperor laughing crossed Raphael’s mind, and his face turned cold. A shadow of disgust crept into his eyes.
‘I mustn’t act rashly.’
He still had time before becoming a cardinal. Even the slightest illusion of closeness could quickly snowball into marriage rumors.
He leaned back in his seat and propped his chin against the window frame.
Petals scattered across the path, blooming flowers lining the way—it all should have smelled sweet, yet his face looked dry as a desert.
Eventually, as the large estate came into view, he straightened his back once more.
His expression, without a single crack, turned resolute.
‘Even small gestures can give her the wrong idea.’
He repeated that thought, firmly drawing a line in advance. If not for that, he would’ve naturally stepped out and escorted her the moment the carriage stopped.
Raphael fixed his gaze coldly on Louisa, who was approaching the carriage.
This whole visit was because of her absurd condition. He couldn’t keep letting her dictate the pace.
And yet, the closer Louisa came, the heavier the guilt pressed down on him—like he was tormenting a delicate young woman.
Her violet eyes sparkled with innocence like a spring bloom. It made it hard to stay still.
‘…This isn’t right. I’m a holy knight—I shouldn’t be this petty.’
Before he realized it, his hand was gripping the carriage door so tightly his veins were bulging. His half-lowered eyelids rose slowly.
Finally, the door opened, and Raphael stepped down.
“…!”
Louisa, who had been debating whether to knock, looked up, startled by his sudden appearance.
“…Lady Blake.”
“Your Highness.”
Responding to his greeting, Louisa lifted her skirt slightly and dipped into a polite curtsy.
As Raphael watched her calmly and properly return the greeting, a flicker of unrest passed through his mind.
She seemed no different from usual—so why did her presence feel so different today?
‘Was she always this composed? Or does she just seem especially poised today?’
